Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Speaking from the East Room of the White House Wednesday
President Donald Trump held a joint press conference with Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating the era of harsh tension experienced
during the Obama administration is over.

"There will be lots of love, I can promise you
that," Trump said. "With his [Netanyahu's] visit, the White House
reaffirms the unbreakable bond with our cherished ally Israel. The partnership
of our two countries build on shared values has advanced the cause of human
freedom, dignity and peace. These are the building blocks of Democracy."

Early on in the press conference Netanyahu joked about
"The Art of the Deal" and the two leaders traded laughs, handshakes
and compliments before moving onto serious issues.

"Like in every negotiation both sides need to make
compromises," Trump said about a Middle East peace agreement, adding that
any solution reached between the Israelis and Palestinians is supported by him,
two-state or not. "The Israelis are going to show some flexibility, which
is hard, it's hard to do."

"I'd like you to hold back on settlements for a little
bit," Trump continued, adding that in order for there to be peace,
Palestinians must stop promoting hate and terrorism among their people.
"Our administration is committed to working with Israel and our common
allies in the region toward greater security and stability. That includes
working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians."

"The two prerequisites for peace are the recognition
of a Jewish state and Israel's security needs west of the Jordan [river]. They
remain pertinent," Netanyahu said. "I believe the great opportunity
for peace comes from a regional approach and involving our new found Arab
partners in pursuit of a broader peace and peace with the Palestinians. I
greatly look forward to discussing this in detail with you, Mr. President
because I think if we work together, we have a shot."

On Iran, Trump said the nuclear agreement signed under
President Obama is the "worst deal he's ever seen." He warned more
sanctions like the ones recently placed on the regime for terror funding and
ballistic missile tests are an option in the future to deter bad behavior.

Netanyahu expressed expectations of the United States
working with Israel to confront Iran's emboldened and continued aggression in
the region, adding that action against Iran is long overdue. He also said
stopping the regime from obtaining a nuclear bomb and arsenal is the top
priority.

"President Trump has led a very important effort in
the past few weeks, just coming into the presidency, he pointed out the Iranian
violations on ballistic missile tests, by the way, these ballistic missiles are
inscribed in Hebrew 'Israel must be destroyed,'" Netanyahu said. "I
think that if we work together, and not just the United States and Israel but
so many others in the region who see eye-to-eye on the great magnitude and
danger of the Iranian threat, I think we can roll back Iran's aggression and
danger. That's something that's important for Israel and the Arab States but I
think it's vitally important for America."

When asked about the progress of moving the U.S. Embassy
in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump said logistics and options are still being
evaluated.

"I'd love to see that happen, we're looking at that
very, very strongly, we're looking at that with great care, and we'll see what
happens," Trump said.

In case you missed it (we definitely didn't!) President
Trump took a question from Townhall Editor Katie Pavlich on Wednesday during
his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Her
relevant inquiries, focused on the compromises that need to be made on both
sides of the Israeli-Palestinian debate, as well as the future of the Iranian
nuclear deal, also happened to be an "interesting" one (Trump's own
words.)

Yet, that didn't stop mainstream media outlets from
whining that she got to ask a question before them.

The president's
opting to boot his network to the back of the line while giving preference to
conservative-leaning news outlets proves that "the fix is in," he
said after the presser.

Other media expressed their confusion on Twitter, asking
who in the world Townhall was and why did they deserve to ask questions.

This isn't the first time Katie has been criticized
simply for doing her job and holding the White House accountable. When Press
Secretary Sean Spicer offered her the first question at a press briefing
earlier this month, BuzzFeed dismissed her as a "conservative opinion
commentator person," failing to research her proper title.

As Christine wrote, Andrew Puzder is expected to
withdraw his nomination due to lack of GOP support stemming from allegations of
spousal abuse, which his ex-wife said are false, and the revelation that he
hired an illegal alien as a housekeeper 25 years ago. As a result, several
Senate Republicans were on the fence about his nomination, voicing their
hesitation to confirm Puzder. They wanted to see how he would fare at the
hearings. Puzder is the CEO of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. and Democrats were
prepared to use the fast-food chain’s commercials, which are considered racy
(it’s women in bikinis eating hamburgers) to attack him.

About This Blog & the National Black Republican Association

Lieutenant Colonel Frances Rice, United States Army, Retired is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and retired from the Army in 1984 after 20 years of active service. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Drury College in 1973, a Masters of Business Administration from Golden Gate University in 1976, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1977.
In 2005, she became a co-founder and Chairman of the National Black Republican Association, an organization that is committed to returning African Americans to their Republican Party roots.
Please, no donations.
Email contact: NationalBlackRepublican@Gmail.com